The Grouchy Ladybug (Board book)

~ (Author, Illustrator) "It was night and some fireflies danced around the moon..." (more)
Key Phrases: friendly ladybug, grouchy ladybug

Editorial Reviews

Review

Progressing through a series of brilliantly colored die-cut pages, a bad-tempered braggart becomes a nicer, happier, better-behaved bug. This "visual delight ... can readily be used to discuss manners and social behavior."--The Reading Teacher. The arrangement of the book also introduces concepts of comparative size and telling time. (Picture book.) -- HarperCollins --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

This beloved Eric Carle classic returns once again in a colorful new board book format. For generations, The Grouchy Ladybug has delighted readers of all ages with the story of a bad-tempered bug who won't say "please" or "thank you," won't share, and thinks she is bigger and better than anyone else. As children follow the Grouchy Ladybug on her journey, they will learn the important concepts of time, size, and shape, as well as the benefits of friendship and good manners.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Board book: 44 pages
• Publisher: HarperFestival (September 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 069401320X
• ISBN-13: 978-0694013203
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,714 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #7 in	Books > Children's Books > Basic Concepts > Time
  #9 in	Books > Children's Books > Basic Concepts > Size & Shape > Fiction
  #26 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Manners > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book to read when you're feeling grouchy, May 17, 2000

By	Nancy Parry McCluer (Nixa, MO USA) - See all my reviews

Carle's story explores the concepts of time, size and manners through the exploits of one very grouchy ladybug. When it refuses to share aphids with another ladybug, the grouchy insect flies off to pick a fight an hour with a succession of ever-larger animals. Kids will love the way the tension seems to build in the story. Will the ladybug get its comeuppance? Or will it learn to mind its manners? (If you don't remember, you'll just have to read it yourself to find out!)

Carle employs his almost trademarked tissue paper and tempera collages to great effect here as he renders more than a dozen different animals. He includes a clock face at the top of each page, to help kids track the passing of time. A good book to read when you or your little one is in a grouchy mood.

This is one of those classic picture books that doesn't lose anything in the translation to board book. If anything, it is improved since the die-cut pages hold up a lot better when they are made of thick board.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!, July 2, 2002

By	One Strong Opinion (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grouchy Ladybug (Paperback)

What a terrific story for a child of any age! I purchased this book because of its wonderful illustrations. I read it to my young (under a year) son almost every day, and he remains mesmerized by the pictures on each page. The story itself is wonderful. It is as much about manners and the power of a positive attitude as it is about picking on someone your own size! I also love that the book takes the grouchy ladybug through her day hour by hour with illustrated clocks to help children learn to tell time. My sister teaches 1st grade, and her students love this book as well. I think it is one of Carle's better books, and I highly recommend it.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning on more than one level., November 8, 2005

By	Z. Gala "read2kids" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Grouchy Ladybug (Paperback)

Not only have both my kids enjoyed reading this book over and over again, but I think it is a very interesting book.
It allows parents to talk with their kids about right and wrong behavior, about cooperation and conflict, about standing up against bullies. Also, depending on the age of your child, you can teach basic time telling, increasing sizes, the cycle of day to night (from nighttime, to sunrise, to sun overhead at noon, etc.) A very unique book which fosters discussion between parents and kids.